Signal system.



2%@ WV@ www J. L. HALL.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLIUATIDN num ooT.11. 1905.

Witnesses Inventor:

KM JohnLHa/l,

Azay.

J. L. HALL.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLIUATION FILED 001211, 1905.

Patented A111220, 1909.

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J'. L. HALL. SIGNAL SYSTEM. ArPLloATIoN FILED 001211. 1905.

SSHBBTS-SBBET 3.

W/,nesses naif.

Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. HALL, OF SCI-IENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectad county of Schenectady, State of New Tork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a system of signaling and more particularly a system by which signals are sent from one station to another at definite time intervals.

The system comprises one or more receiving instruments each of which is capable of Giving a plurality of different indications an a transmitting instrument governing the operation of the receivers automatically and causing each of them to give its indications successively at equal intervals of time. The length of this time interval may be adjusted between wide limits to permit of varying the time elapsing between the successive signals at wil and when the adjustable parts are once set the time interval selected will elapse each time between the transmission of the successive si nals.

The system of signaling which have invented is susce tible of use in a great many and widely different relations. However, it is particularly adapted for use on shipboard for signaling from one station, as for instance the en ine room, to the various furnace rooms t e times for iiring the furnaces of the boilers. On large ships it is common to roup the furnaces in several furnace rooms; t 1ere may be, for example, six furnace rooms and six furnaces in each room. With such an equipment it is desired to signal from the engine room or some other station to the several furnace rooms the times for firing each of the furnaces in the room. The sig nals should be sent at equal intervals of time so that the furnaces will be fired re ularly and this time interval should be rea ily adjustable over Wide limits on account of the varying steam consumption under different conditions.

In accordance with my invention I provide a transmitter at the sending station and a receiver at each of the furnace rooms. Each receiver is capable of iving a plurality of different indications to s ow which of the several furnaces in that room is to be fired. The transmitter is provided with a time mechanism which operates contacts to cause each of the receivers to give its indications Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 11, 1905.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Serial No. 282,252.

successively at equal intervals of time and with means permitting of adjusting the contacts so arranged as to vary the length of this time interval as desired. The transmitter thus automatically operates all the receivers periodically to indicate the time for firing and the particular furnace in the room in which the receiver is located which is to be fired.

Although this system of signaling is particularly adapted for use in s1 naling to the furnace rooms on shi board Ido not wish to be understood as imited in this respect as there are many other uses to which the system may be applied.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention will be definitely indicated in the claims appended hereto.

The details of the construction of the apparatus I prefer to employ and the method of operation of my im roved signaling system will be better un( erstood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a front view of the transmitter; Fig. 2 is a section of the same on line 2 2 of Fig. l Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the receivers; Fig. 4 is a section of the same online 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a diagram of the circuits, Fig. 6 is a detail lan view of a portion of the transmitter; an Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the receiver.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 which illustrate the transmitter, 8 indicates a casing in which the parts are inclosed to the back of which is secured a support 9 of insulating material. Mounted on sup ort 9 is a clock mechanism 107 the secon hand shaft of which carries three contacts 11 spaced apart eually. A stationary contact 12 is mounte on the sup ort 9 in position to be engaged by the movable contacts 11 as the shaft of the second hand rotates so that a circuit is closed at the contact 12 once every twenty seconds. This circuit includes the coil of an actu ating magnet 13 mounted on the sup crt 9 at the top of the instrument and provided with a pivoted armature 14 which is normally held in the retracted position by a coiled spring 15. The free end of armature 14 is rovided with a shoulder 14 constituting a atch and carries a pivoted pawl 16 held by a spring 17 in engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 18. This ratchet wheel is secured to a sleeve 19 which is loose upon a shaft mounted in a frame 2O secured to the support 9. A spiral spring 21 shown in dotte lines in Fig. 1 has one end secured to a pin 9 on the support 9 and the other to the sleeve 19 so that when the ratchet 1.8 is released sprin 21 turns sleeve 19 and the ratchet whee secured thereto upon the supporting shaft to a position in which further movement is arrested by the engagement ol' an arm 22 extending outwardly from the ratchet 18 with the frame 26. A post 23 mounted on the sup ort 9 carries a pivoted retaining awl 24 which is held against thc teeth of tie ratchet wheel by a spring 24. The forwardly-extending arm 22 carries a silver contact 22 on its end which, when the ratchet wheel 18 is turned by magnet 13 operating the awl 16, engages an adjustable contact 25 also of silver carried by an arm 26 which is secured to a shaft 26 mounted for rotation in an auxiliary frame 20. Secured on this shaft is a worm-wheel 27 with which meshes a worm 27 carried by a shaft 28 which extends through the side of the casing and carries on its end a hand-wheel 28.

On the forward end of shaft 26 carrying the contact 25 is an indicator 29 which moves over a scale 29 the zero of which is directly under the indicator' when the contact arm 22 is in the retracted position against frame 20 and shaft 26 is turned so as to bring contact 25 into engagement with contact 22. From this zero point around the scale is marked off in thirds of minutes, each space being of a width corresponding to one tooth on the ratchet wheel 18. The contacts 22 and 25 control a signaling circuit and the circuit of a releasing electromagnet 3() having a pivoted armature 3l to which is secured an arm 32 extending under lateral projections on the actuating and retaining pawls 16 and 24, res ectively, as is best shown in Fig. 6 so that wlien the electromagnet is energized and its armature attracted the arm 32 engages the pawls 16 and 24 and raises them out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 18 so that spring 21 is free to turn the ratchet wheel and the contact carried thereby back to the position in which further movement is arrested by the engagement of arm 22 with frame 20. Arm 32 is L-sha ed as shown in Fig. 6 and the free end o armature 14 extends in proximity to the bent end of the arm g the shoulder 14 on the armature 14 is adapted to engage the edge of this bent end to hold arm 32 and pawls 16 and 24 in the raised osition until armature 14 is again attracted y manget 13. When this occurs latch 14 releases arm 32 and the arm and armature 31 to which it is secured are retracted by a spring 33.

Below the release magnet 30 is a commutating switch consisting of a. plurality of segments 34 arranged in a circle, a ring 35 olA conducting material concentric therewith, shaft 36 mounted lor rotation in bearings 36 secured to support 9 at the center ol' the ring, and two brushes 37 and 38 carried by the shal't 36. Brush 37 is electrically connected to shaft 36 and is adapted to make contact with the segments 34. Brush 38 is secured to shalt 36 diamctrically opposite the brush 37 but is insulated from the shalt and is arranged to cross-connect the segments 34 with the ring 35. Secured to the shaft 36 is a ratchet wheel 39 and loose on the shaft 36 is an arm 46 to the free end oll which is pivoted a pawl 41 held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 39 by a spring 41 A retaining pawl 42 is pivotally mounted on a post 43 extending forward from support 9 and is held in engagement with the teeth ol' ratchet 39 by a spring 44. A connecting rod 45 is pivoted at one end to the free end of arm 40 and at the other end to the armature 31 of the releasing magnet 30, so that when magnet 30 attracts its armature arm 40 is turned on shaft 36 until pawl 41 engages the next tooth of ratchet 39 and when magnet 3() is denergized and its armature retracted by spring 33, rod 45 turns arm 40 in the o positie direction and paw] 41 moves the rate et wheel a distance equal to one tooth so as to turn shaft 26 and the two brushes carried thereby. In the type of instrument illustrated there are nine segments 34, and eighteen teeth on the ratchet wheel 39 so that each time ratchet wheel 39 is moved the brushes 37 and 38 are moved a distance equal to one-half of a segment. Below these parts is a plug switch for closing the circuits of the various receiving instruments. This switch consists of a circular contact 46 about which are arranged a number of segmental contacts equal to the number of receiving instruments.

In the apparatus illustrated in the drawings provision is made for six receiving in struments and six of these segmental contacts are shown and lettered A to F, inclusive. Plugs 47 may be inserted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to cross-connect any one of the segmental contacts with the contact 46. To the ri ht of the plug switch are six bindinr osts ettered a to f, inclusive, each of whic `1 1s connected to the segmental contact A to F, corresponding thereto. (See Fig. 5.) To the leit of the plug switch are six other binding posts, as s own. Posts 6 and 7 are the positive and negative binding-posts, respectively, of the transmitter. Post 6 is connected to the movable contacts 1 1 ofthe time mechanism, to the movable contact 22 for the signaling circuit and to the stud 36 of the commutating switch. The stationary contact 12 eoperating with the contacts 11 is connected to one side of the actuating niagnet 13, and the contact 25 is connected to one side ol' the releasing magnet 30,' the other sides of magnets 13 and 30 are connected to the negative binding-post 7 which is also connected to the contact 46 ol' the plug switch and the ring ol' the comnmtating switch. The binding post 4" 1s connected to the contact 25, and the binding-posts 1, 2 and 8 are connected to three adjacent segments 34 of the commutating switch cach of which is connected to every third segment 34, as shown in Fig. 5.

vReferring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the receiving instrument consists of a casing inclosing the operating parts, the front of which is a glass through which the indicators of the rceeiver may be seen. Secured to thc back of the casing is a magnet 48 having an armature carried by a pivoted arm 49. This arm carries a leaf-spring 50 which, when the arm is turned on its pivot by magnet 48 attracting its armature, engages and cross-connects two contacts 51 51 supported on the back of the casing and insulated therefrom. Pivotally mounted on the casing is a latch 52 having a spring 52 coiled about its pivot and normally tending to turn the free end of the latch toward the switch 50. Latch 52 has a shoulder formed therein and when arm 49 is turned on its pivot to the position in which spring 50 cross-connects contacts 51 51 spring 52 turns latch 52 on its pivot to bring t iis shoulder und er the end of arm 49 and hold the switch in the closed position against the tension of a retracting spring 49. A circuitopening magnet 53 is mounted on the casing and provided with a pivoted armature 54. This armature is so arranged that when attracted its outer end engages the end of latch 52 and turns the latch on its pivot so that it releases arm 49 which is then retracted by its spring 49 to separate the bridging contact 50 from contacts 51 51. Armature 54 is extended beyond its pivot and this eX- tension is pivotally connected to the plunger of a dash-pot 55 ivotally connected to a stud on the back oi) the casing. A spring 56 normally holds armature 54 in the retracted position.

Secured to the back ofthe casing is a small synchronous motor Whose moving element controls the indicating devices. Fastened to the casing is a plate 57 of iron to which is secured the cores of three magnets 58, 59 and 60 symmetrically arranged about a shaft 61 pivoted in plate 57 and a plate 62. Secured to shaft 61 is an electromagnet having a core consisting of a central cylindrical portion 62, and outer segmental portions 64 and 65 integrally connected to the cylindrical core 62 by Webs, the Web 64 for the segmental portion 64 being at the back end of the cylindrical portion 62 and the web 65 for the segmental portion 65 at the forward end of the ortion 62. The coil 63 of the electromagnet 1s of annular shape and ts snugly around the cylindrical portion 62 and within the segmental portions 64 and 65 of the core as best shown in Fig. 4.

rl`hc core of the magnet is made in two parts each consisting olf one ot' the segmental portions, its connecting web and hall of the central cylindrical portion and these two parts are secured together about the coil to lorm the complete magnet in the m aimer shown. Fig. 7 shows a perspective View of 75 the magnet core with the coil removed, so as to show the core construction clearly. 0n. shaft 61 are two insulating bushings supporting rings 66 of insulating material to which the terminals of coil 63 are connected, and brushes 67 67 mounted on a support 68 secured to the back of the casing bear on thc rings 66 66 to conduct the current to and from coil 63. The cores of the magnets 58, 59 and 60 are extended forward and are con- S5 caved on their inner sides so that as magnet 62 rotates the segmental portions 64 and 65 thereof pass in close proximity to these cores and the air gaps between the segmental portions 64 and 65 and the cores of the magnets 58, 59 and 60 are very small and very much less than the gaps between the free ends of the segmental portions and the central cylindrical portion of the core. The forward end of shaft 61 extends through the plate 62 and carries an indicator 69, and on the plate 62 are numerm 6 spaced apart equally to orif'liif/:hiiirdicator 69 is directed to give the desired signal. ln the top of the case is. a lamp 70 which illuminates the dial 62.

At the bottom of the instrument is a connection board 71 on which are five strips of conducting material, 1', 2', 3', 4 and 5 each having a binding post thereon, and four binding posts 71, 72, 78, and 74. Strips 1', 2 and 3 are connected to the upper end of the coils of magnet 58, 59 and 60, respectively, and the lower ends ofthe three coils are connected together. Stri 4 is connected to one side of magnet 48, t e other side of which is connected to the bindingost 71. Strip 5 is connected to one of the rushes 67 leading to the coil 63 and the other brush 67 leading from that coil is connected to post 71. Lamp 7() is connected across the two brushes 67. The positive binding-post 72 is connected to one side of magnet 53, the other side of which is connected to contact 51, and contact 51 is connected to the negative binding-post 73. Mounted in roximity to each 120 recelving instrument 1` c uster of lam s 56` which are connectedubmlpdim bindingpost 72 and the binding-post 74 Which is connected to contact 51.

Fi 5 shows diagrammatically the electrica connections to the various parts and the operation of the system u ill be best understood therefrom. Any desired number of receiving instruments may be used with a single transmitter. In the apparatus shown 130 provision is made for six receivers, the plug switch on the transn'iitter having six segmental contacts, but more receivers may be used if desired. Each of the binding-posts (l, I), &c., connected with the segmental contacts A, B, &c., is connected. by a wire c W, der., with the binding-post 71 on the receiving instruimnts A, B, &c, corresponding thereto. 'lhe positive and negative binding-posts 6, 7 are connected with positive and negative mains 75, 76, respectively. Binding posts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are connected by wires 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with the conducting strips 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively, in each of the receiving instruments. The )ositive and negative binding-posts 72, 73 1n each receiver are connected to positive and negative mains 77 and 78, respectively. With the parts thus connected. the hand# wheel 28 is turned to move the adjustable contact 25 to the desired position by means of the Worm 27 on the shaft carrying the hand-Wheel and the Worm-wheel 27 on the shaft carrying contact 25 and meshing with worin 27. As contact 25 is moved around the indicator 29, which is fixed to the same slm above the dial 29 to indicate tim erva lniiiiiiutes an( thirds of se between succes- A )lug 1s meer e i Contact 46 and tlie segmental contacts A, B, corresponding to a receiving instrument which it is desired to operate. In Fig. 5 a plug is shown inserted between contact 46 and contact A so that receiving instrument A Will be operated. If now the clock mechanism 10 is in o eration the movable contacts 1 1, carried y the second shaft thereof, will engage the stationary contact 12 at intervals of twenty seconds, and will close a circuit from the positive main to the positive binding-post 6, to movable contact 11, stationary Contact 12, actuating magnet 13, negative binding post 7, to negative main 76. The actuating magnet 13 being energized attracts its armature 14 and thus draws pawl 16 back until it engages the next toothof the ratchet wheel 18 then when magnet 13 is denergized by the opening of the circuit at contact 12, spring 15 retracts arma` ture 14 and pawl 16 moves the ratchet Wheell 18 a distance equal to one tooth where it is locked by the retaining pawl 24. This occurs at intervals of twenty seconds in the` type of instrument shown until finally the ratchet wheel 18 is turned far enough to bring the contact 22 carried thereby into engagement with the adjustable contact 25, the time elapsing before this occurs depending upon the position of the adjustable contact 25. W'hen contact 22 engages contact 25 a circuit is closed from positive bindingpost 6, to contact 22, contact 25, releasing ma et 30, to the negative binding-post 7, an also fromcontact 25 to binding-post 4,

then by wire 4 to the strip 4' in the receiving instrument, then through the switcheoperating magnet 48 to bindingpost 71 on the receiver, then by wire c to binding-post a in the transmitter, segmental contact A, to center contact 4 6 of the plug switch, and. then. to the negative bim'ling-post 7.

The switch-operating magnet 48 being energized attaracts its armature thus turning arm 49 on its pivot until the spring 50 bridges the contacts 51, 51. Arm 49 is held in this position by the latch 52 which is turned on its pivot by the spring 52 until the shoulder on the latch is moved under the end of arm 49. The bridging of contacts 51 and 51 by spring 5() closes a circuit from the positive binding-post 72 through the signal lamp 86 to contact 51 then to contact 51 and the negative binding-post 73. The lam s 86 are thus cutMin toqlndice te thewenwdm of tlie timeipterval for wvliich-,ekadjustabel conta@ rT iftjjns.. lenLas ,eenset;T e closure of the switch 50 also closes a circuit from positive binding-post 72 through the switch releasing magnet 53 to contact 51', contact 51 and negative binding post 73. Magnet 53 being energized rocks its armature on its pivot, but the movement of armature 54 is retarded by the dash-pot 55. 'After a lapse of a short interval, preferably only a few seconds, the end of armature 54 engages the end of latch 52 and turns the latter on its pivot so that it releases the switch arm 49, and spring 49 turns arm 49 on its pivot to carry spring latch 52 out of bridging relation to contacts 51 and 51.

,Y en sthwewcircuit oithcmlamp'sm after .therhere..@eailrrangiar .salaam time and also opens the circuit of the releasemn'iagnet 53 whose armature is then moved to its retracted position by spring 56. As above described, the engagement of contacts 22 and 25 also closes circuit through the release magnet 30 in the transmitter. Magnet 30 bein]r energized attracts its armature 31 and t e end of arm 32 carried by armature 31 engages the actuating awl 16 and the retaining pawl 24 and turns t em on their pivots until they are out of engagement with the ratchet Wheel 18 in which position they are held by the latch 14 on armature 14 which engages the side of the bent end of arm 32 and holds the arm in the raised position. The ratchet Wheel 18 bein thus released is turned on its supporting s iaft by the spiral spring 21 Whose lnner end is secured to the sleeve 19 Which carries the ratchet Wheel and Which is loose on shaft 26. The backward movement of ratchet Wheel 18 caused by spring 21 continues until contact arm 22 engages the frame 20 and prevents further movement so that contact arm 22 is again in position to be moved forward by the actuating magnet 13 to again close the circuit with contact 25 after fat an equal time interval. The neXt time magnet 13 is energized, the latch 14 releases arm 32 which is drawn down by the retracting spring 33. When the release magnet 3() attracts its armature the connecting rod is moved down carrying with it the pawl 41 until the pawl engages the neXt tooth of ratchet Wheel 39. After contacts 22 and 25 have been separated by spring 21, the circuit of release magnet 3() opened and armature 31 released by latch 14, the armature 31 is retracted by spring 33 and this raises the connecting rod 45 and pawl 41, thus operating to turn the ratchet wheel 39 a distance equal to one tooth. The brushes 37 and 38 carried by the shaft 36 to which ratchet wheel 39 is secured are thus moved over the segments 34 a distance equal to one half of a segment. This changes the connections to the actuating coils of the synchronous motor in the receiving instrument t0 will dien fln, thereof to a new i Hirgghso that eachtirngcontact'gg engages contact'25mtle lem S 86st the,receivenarecutiies@ how 'dill brilliance for, a, preflctmineilftnil" regulated bythe dashes@ at@ indicate the. ed 0f the tmefinterval emilie nexttime ,magnet 13V is energized and airmwliswneleased by armature 14, the commutating switch is operated to cause movement of the indicator 69 over the dial of the receiving instrument to give the desired indication. The manner in which this is accomplished will now be described.

lith the brushes of the commutating switch in the position shown in Fig. 1, brush 37 bears on the upper two segments 34 (Fig. 5) of the commutating switch and brush 38 cross-connects to lowest segment 34 and ring 35. This closes a circuit from the positive binding-post 6 to the shaft 36 and brush 37 to the up er two segments 34; the circuit is continuedp from a right-hand upper segment 34 to binding-post 1, wire 1, to strip 1 45 in the receiver and then to the coil of magnet 58; and from left-hand upper segment 34 to binding-post 3, wire 3, strip 3 in the receiver, to coil of magnet 60 from coils 58 and 60 the two circuits join again and pass through coil 59 to strip 2 then by wire 2, bindingepost 2, to lowest segment 34, brush 38 to ring 35, and then to the negative binding-post 7. It will be seen that current flows through the coils of magnets 58 and 6() in the opjlnosite direction to that of its flow through co1 of magnet 59, so that the upper ends of the cores of magnets 58 and 60 are of one polarity and that of the core of magnet 59 is of the opposite olarity. The magnet 62,

60 which is rotatab e between these cores, is

excited by current owing from bindingpost 6 through wire 5 to strip 5 in the receiver, then to brush 67, throu h coil 63 to the other brush 67 and then to inding-post 71, wire a', binding-Lpost ar contact A,

through the connecting plug to contact 46 and to negative binding-post 7. The energization of the magnets 58, 59 and 60, as above described, causes the rotatable magnet 62 to turn to a position in which the segmental portion 64 of thc core of the magnet is midway between the cores 58 and (il), and the segmental portion 65 of the core is directly opposite the pole of' magnet 59, as shown in Fig. 3. ln this position the indicator 69 points to the numeral l on. the dial of the receiver and the lamp 70 connected between the brushes 67 67 illuminates the dial. When the brushes 37 and 38 are turned by the release magnet 3() a distance equal to one half of a segment in the manner above described, brush 37 is moved from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 to a position in which it bears on the right-hand upper segment 34 only, and brush 38 is moved to a ...position in which it bears on both the lowest segment 34 and the segment immediately to the left. The effect of this movement of the brushes is to change the direction of current ilow through the coil of magnet 6() as the connection to the magnet 60 at the left-hand upper segment 34 is broken, and the segment to the left of the lowest segment 34, which is connected to the left-hand upper segment 34, is connected by the brush 38 to the ring 35 and current flowing through the coil 58 flows out through coil 59 in the manner above described, and also out through coil 60, to strip 3 and then by wire 3 to binding-post 3, to the segment immediately to the left of the lowest segment 34, brush 38, to ring 35, and then to negative binding-post 7. This turns the rotatable armature 62 one-sixth of a revolution to a position in which the segmental portion 64 of the magnet core is directly opposite the core of magnet 58 and the segmental portion 65 is midway between the cores of magnets 59 and 60. In this position the indicator 69 points to the numeral 2 on the dial of the receiver. The next movement of the commutating switch would reverse the direction of current low through the coil of magnet 59 and the current would flow in through coils 58 and 59 vand out by coil 60, which would again move the indicator 69 one-sixth of a revolution, in a similar manner to a position in which it pointed to the numeral 3. In this way successive closures of the circuit at the contacts 22 and 25 operate to move the indicator 69 around one-sixth of a revolution each time.

The three magnets 58, 59, 60 and the rotatable magnet 62 constitute a three-phase revolving eld synchronous motor and the commutating switch on the transmitter governs the alterations of the direction of current flow in the actuating coils of the motor, name] the coils of the magnets 58, 59 and 60. t will thus be seen that at equal intervals of time a signaling circuit is closed at contacts 22 and 25 which operates to light lamps 86 at the receiving station for a short period and to give one of a plurality of indications, and that successive closures of this signal circuit give the indications of the receiver successively; also, that the length of the time interval elapsing between successive signals can be adjusted as desired by turning the hand-wheel 28 so as to move the adjustable contact 25 to a position corresponding to the desired time interval as shown by the indicator 29 and dial 29'. The indications of the receiver may be given in other ways than by moving an indicator over a dial as, for instance, by arranging the shaft of the rotatable magnet 62 to close circuits through signaling lamps successively, and I do not wish to be understood as limited to the means shown. Also, the receiver may be arranged to give a greater number of indications if desired by mcreasing the number of magnets actin on the rotatable magnet 62. If an audib e signal to call attention to the indications of the receiver is desired a bell may be inserted in the circuit of the lamps 86.

When the system is used to signal to the boiler rooms on ship-board one of the receivers and its lam )s 86 are installed in each of the rooms and t e transmitter is mounted in the engine room or some'other station. The adjustable contact 25 is set in the desired position dependent upon the steam consumption under the prevailing conditions, and each time circuit is closed by contacts 22 and 25 the lamps 86 in each of the furnace rooms are cut in to call the attention of the stokers to the receiving instrument and the indicator 69 of each receiving instrument is moved over the dial of the receiver to indicate which of the furnaces in the room in which the receiver is located is to be fired, so that in each of the furnace rooms the time of firin and the particular furnace in that room Whic is to be fired are indicated by the receiver.

It will be apparent that various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts of the apparatus herein shown and described may e made without de arting from the spirit of my invention an I Wish it understood that all such modifications I consider within the scope of my invention and I aim to cover them by the terms of the claims ap ended hereto.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a signal system, the combination of a transmitter, a regver arranged to respond thereto, a time mechanism in the transmitter, a movable contact operated thereby7 a sprirlgto retract the movable contact when released, a contact adapted to be engaged by the movable contact, means for adjusting the same, and means controlled by said contacts for releasing said movable contact and for causing the receiver to give its indications.

2. ln a signal system, the combimrtion of a receiver comprising an electric motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprising a time mechanism and means controlled thereby automatically for regulating the direction of the low of current in the actuating coils of said motor.

P). In a signal system, the crnnbination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, an electrically-actuated signaling device at the receiver, and a trans-,

mitter having automatically-operated means for changing the direction of current flow in the actuating coils of said synchronous motor and for closing the circuit of said signaling device when such changes are made.

4. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devi es controlled by the moving element n imling at the receiver, a transmittr having automatically-operated means for changing the direction of current iiow in the actuating coils of said. synchronous motor and for closing the circuit of said signaling device when such changes are made, and. means for opening said circuit after a predetermined time interval.

5. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and signaling devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter having a time mechanism and means controlled thereby for regulating the direction of the flow of current in the actuating coils of said synchronous motor.

6. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprising a time mechanism and a switch automatically-operated thereby to regulate the iiow of current in the actuating coils of said synchronous motor.

7. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter having a switch to regulate the direction of current flow in the actuating coils of said synchronous motor, means for operating said switch automatically at equal intervals of time, and

meander-adjustingthe length. rofkthe time interval.

' In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprising a commutating switch and means for automatically actuating the movable mem- 1eof, an electrically-actuated siff-kv yn... nu.

ber ol' said switch with a step-by-step movement to regulate the direction of flow of current in the actuating coils ol said synchronous motor.

9, In a signal system, the combination ol a receiver comprising a ynchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprising a commutating switch to regulate the direction of the flow ol current in the actuating coils oi said synchronous motor, a time mechanism, means operated by said mechanism lor actuating the movable member ol said switch at equal intervals of time, and means for adjusting the length of the time interval.

10. In a signal system, the combination ol a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and signaling devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprlsing a commutating switch to regulate the flow of current in the coils of said synchronous motor, a ratchet secured to the movable member of said switch, an electromagnet, a pawl engaging said ratchet and actuated by the magnet, and a time mechanism controlling the circuit of said magnet.

11. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous mo tor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprising a constant-speed device, a contact operated thereby to close a circuit periodically, a magnet in said circuit, an armature therefor, a movable Contact actuated by said armature, a contact engaged by said movable contact to close a signaling circuit, and means operated when said circuit is closed for regulating the direction of ioW of current in the actuating coils of said synchronous motor.

12. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter comprising a constant-speed device, a contact o erated thereby to close a circuit periodical y, a magnet in said circuit, an armature therefor, a pawl carried thereby, a ratchet Wheel cooperating therewith, a contact movable With said wheel, a contact adapted to be engaged thereby to close a signaling circuit, means for adjusting said contact, and means operated when said signaling circuit is closed for re ulating the direction of iiow of current in t e actuating coils of said synchronous motor.

13. In a signal system, the combination of a receiver comprising a synchronous motor and indicating devices controlled by the moving element thereof, and a transmitter having a constant-speed device, a movable contact operated thereby, a spring to retract said contact when released, a contact ,L ol' current in the actuating coils oi said synl chronous motor.

14. In a time signaling system, a time mechanism, a movable contact actuated by said mechanism, a spring to retract said contact when released, a contact adapted to be engaged by said movable contact, a magnet whose circuit is controlled by said contacts, means operated by the magnet for releasing the movable contact, and means operated cach time said contacts engage to give an indication oi the lapse of a period of time.

15. In a time signaling system, a time mechanism, a movable contact actuated by said mechanism, a iixed stop, a spring to retract said contact when released against said stop, a contact adapted to be engaged by said movable contact, means for adjusting the position of said contact, a magnet whose circuit is closed by the engagement of said contacts, means operated by said magnet when energized for releasing the movable contact, and means operated when said contacts engage to give an indication.

16. The combination of a time mechanism, a movable contact actuated by said mechanism, a spring to retract said contact when released, a contact adapted to be engaged by said movable contact, a magnet whose circuit is controlled by said contacts, means operated by the magnet for releasing the movable contact, and electricall -operated devices Whose circuit is controlled by said contacts.

17. In a signal system, a transmitter having a constant-speed device, means operated thereby for closing a circuit periodically, a magnet in said circuit, an armature therefor, a movable contact actuated thereby, a spring to retract said contact when released, a contact ad apted to be engaged by the movable contact, a release magnet energized when said contacts are in engagement, and means operated by the magnet for releasing the movable contact, a signal circuit closed by said contacts, and a receiver having an electrically actuated signaling device connected in said signal circuit.

18. In a signal system, a transmitter having a constant-speed device, means operated thereby for closing a circuit periodically, a magnet in said circuit, an armature therefor, a pawl carried by the armature, a ratchet Wheel cooperating therewith, a contact movable with said wheel, a spring to retract said wheel when released, a contact adapted to be en aged by the movable contact, means for a justing the same, a release magnet energized when said contacts are in engegen'ient, and means operated by the nmgnet for releasing the movable Contact, n signal circuit closed by Said contacts, und e receiver having an electrically actuated sig'- l maling device connected in seid Signal circuit. 19. ln :t signal system, e transmitter, e

time mechanism thereinJ e signal circuit ,r

mained closed e predetermined time, and an eleetrieally-actuated signaling' device controlled by said Swltch.

20. In a Signal System, the combination of u receiver having` a rotatable shaft therein, a magnet carried thereby7 three stationary electro:magnets synlmetricelly disposed about said shalt, and sigmtling devices controlled by seid shalt, :md e transmitter havingr at time mechmiimn, an switch operated by said mechanism et equul intervals to reverse the direction olcurrent [low in the coils of Seid stationary magnets successively, and means lor adjusting the length of said time interval.

ln witnese` whereof l have hereunto eet my hund this 9th dey o1 October, 1905.

JOHN li. HALL. vWitnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, BERTUA SEGOB. 

